Here we all are on top of Devil's Den in Gettysburg. Those boys of mine were just turning 1 and 4 when I started posting here!!!

Gettysburg is only a little over an hour away from us, so we didn't use too much gas. The park is free, so no cost there. We ate a big lunch out, but we would have eaten out somewhere anyways.


Yes, my 17 yo towers over us, and I think he is going to grow again soon...eating lots of protein and sleeping a few extra hours a day always equals growth (2 hamburgers and 2 hot dogs for lunch, then half the mac and cheese at dinner, plus whatever else he chowed on..lol) He's about 6'1" now...we'll see where he stops. Derek is catching up fast.

Thanks for sharing. You have 2 handsome young men.

I feel your "pain" on the eating. My ds (15) is just shy of 6 feet tall, eats 4 substantial meals a day, and sleeps until noon when I let him. Sounds like you had a good weekend!

A handsome group! And the weather has been beautiful so you chose a good day.

Dh has been trying to talk me into going there but I'm not big on battlefields. Ds, on the other hand, will go anywhere if history is involved, so they'll get there soon.

Great picture! We were at Gettysburg about 6 yrs ago-it was awesome.

Sounds like a fun family adventure!!

I visited Gettysburg once, years ago. Fascinating place. And you have a beautiful family.

You all look like you are having fun. Thanks so much for sharing.

I can hardly believe those boys are that old...and that big! Wow!

We have been talking about driving the Blue Ridge Parkway next year and visiting Gettysburg.

nt

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You have two choices; make progress or make excuses.

Sandy and her family can come up then, and whoever else we can convince!

...but planning it would be the kiss of death! If we come (50-50 at this point), it would be around the middle of October 2013. If we come east, we wanna see the leaves! I'll let you know closer to the time. We are thinking Gettysburg, Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smokies National Park (where I went with Mary during the Thelma & Louise road trip to TN, but Mike has never been) would be a heckuva vacation. I have been to 6-7 Civil War battlefields but have always thought Gettysburg would be the primo site.

I'm close enough that I can come at the last minute. There would be several within a 3 hour driving distance...SandyNJ and SandyMD, Christine, Mary..myself...I'm sure I'm missing a few others..


And mid october would be right...2nd-3rd week there will be plenty of color along the way. We peak a little later, but have lots of color by then. Do some research as to when the mountains peak..I think you'd be right with the 2-3 week there.



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I live my life in celebration that I've got a life to live.

Of course it's in my backyard, practically, but IMO, it is more impressive than other battlefields. The National Park Service has gone to great lengths to restore the battlefield to its orginal look. In particular, they removed some trees and buildings which were not present during Pickett's charge, in addition to a silly tower they put in the 70's, added a wheat field, and peach orchard, that were mentioned. It's made it historically accurate and has a much greater impact. You can't help but be moved standing on the Confederate line of Pickett's charge. It's hard to envision a mile line of men marching in rows across that flat field to their deaths. One of the saddest moments in US history, IMO.

I had planned to e-mail you and then this thread started. (Great minds, you know, LOL). Not willing to make plans too far out (it seems to jinx us) but I've love to see all of you in the area. (I've met Sandy in NJ, although she wasn't in NJ yet).

Since I have enough points on Southwest, I was thinking that we would fly in and out of Baltimore.

We went to Valley Forge last October and it was gorgeous. That would be a good time to come.

Dh just mentioned going again a couple of days ago, so I see that in our near future. Karen, I'll let you know when we're planning on it.

It's just as hard for me to believe how big they are, lol! I sortof wish I had gotten my hair cut and colored on Friday like I was going to, lol.

Hi Karen,

Nice pic of you and your family!

Have you been to Gettysburg for the reenactments? I have gone to see some revolutionary war reenactments. However, I'm thinking to go to Gettysburg the first weekend in July for reenactments. I'm wondering how to plan for the trip. It was a 3 day battle so it seems impossible to see all, how do I prioritize what to see. I imagine there will be alot of visitors to the park and I'm always reluctant to go somewhere during an obvious time when it will be packed with visitors. Any advice would be appreciated!

--Kim

I really don't have any suggestions except next year will be the 150th anniversary, and I'm sure it will be extra special and extra crowded. I would call the Park service and get info. My understanding is they reenact exactly to the detail, so if you want to see Pickett's charge, for example, be there the last day. I'm sure it's very impressive and emotional to watch.

The one big issue with Gettysburg is that there are no major highways running right to it, so traffic will be nasty. Be prepared to deal with that, by leaving early. etc.

I'm not sure if I helped much, but enjoy if you go!




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I live my life in celebration that I've got a life to live.

Thanks for the response! Good point about the roads--I don't think that I'm up for the traffic (and crowds). However, I'd still like to go sometime this summer.

--Kim